The term "hypoallergenic" refers to the reduced likelihood that a dog can cause an allergic reaction in its owner. People who suffer from pet allergies may be interested in a hypoallergenic dog breed, because it will cause fewer problems and make life easier.
Some dogs' fur and dander contain allergens that aggravate allergy sufferers' symptoms, while other breeds produce fewer allergens and are considered hypoallergenic.
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This article will explore the question, 'Are Cane Corsos hypoallergenic?'
What Does Hypoallergenic Mean?
Some dogs can cause an allergic reaction in people around them — such as sneezing, wheezing, itchy and watery eyes. When describing a dog, Hypoallergenic is often thought to mean that the dog will produce no allergic reaction at all.
In fact, Hypoallergenic simply means that the dog has less likelihood of provoking an allergic reaction, compared to many other breeds. The Oxford dictionary says ‘relatively unlikely’.
Some hypoallergenic dogs may also be referred to as "non-shedders," which means they don't shed a lot.
Some dog breeds are more likely to provoke allergies than others. In general, a dog is considered hypoallergenic if the breed's fur and dander have been shown to trigger fewer symptoms in allergy sufferers.
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Do Hypoallergenic Dogs Exist?
This question is usually asked out of the misunderstanding discussed above — thinking that hypoallergenic means being totally free of the allergens that trigger allergies in others.
With this definition, there would be no dogs which 100% fit the bill.
However, some breeds produce fewer allergens than others. Under the correct definition, these dogs would be considered hypoallergenic.
Examples of popular dog breeds which fit in this category are Poodles, Afghans, Yorksire Terriers, and Wheaten Terriers. There are quite a few more.
On the other end of the scale, breeds such as Chow Chows or Labs can cause allergic reactions in allergy sufferers because their coats contain a higher quantity of dander allergens.
Dander is dead skin cells and oils found on all animals' bodies and sheds from the body continuously. So nearly every breed has the potential to produce some dander allergies for allergy sufferers.
What Are Allergens?
An allergen is any substance that causes an allergy. Allergens can trigger a wide range of allergic reactions in humans. These include hives, swelling, asthma attacks, nasal congestion, itchy red eyes, and many others.
Some allergens are airborne particles such as pollen or animal dander, while other allergens are contact irritants such as latex or poison ivy.
Dander Allergens
Dander allergens are present on most animals' skin cells throughout their lives. Dander accumulates on your pet's fur whether they shed or not because your pet is constantly producing it. However, some breeds produce more dander than others.
Although there is no way to prevent your pet from producing dander, regularly grooming your pet will help remove the allergens before they become airborne.
Saliva Allergens
Humans with dog allergies often have an allergic reaction when they come into contact with saliva of any kind. However, certain breeds produce more saliva than others.
Dogs that drool heavily usually won't qualify as hypoallergenic, unless they shed little or not at all, because saliva contributes to the total amount of allergens produced by a dog.
Urine Allergens
Some dog breeds have pungent urine that can trigger allergic reactions. This can be especially so with male dogs.
Breeds prone to marking their territory will cause allergy sufferers discomfort because the scent of strong urine lingers even after it's been cleaned up.
However, certain breeds with less pungent scents may be considered hypoallergenic for allergy sufferers who are highly sensitive to pet dander or saliva allergens.
Do Cane Corsos Shed a Lot?
Many people believe if a dog breed has short hair, it won't shed at all; however, this isn't always the case.
Some short-haired breeds still shed profusely, and produce a high quantity of dander allergens which can cause an allergic reaction in humans. Including sneezing, itchy and watery eyes, and skin irritation.
All dogs have skin regardless of their hair length, so they will still produce dander, regardless of coat type. There are some breeds with very little dander, such as poodles.
However, typically, there is no way to know for sure how much dander your pet may produce until you've owned them for a while.
The Cane Corso is a moderate shedder, but you can reduce the amount of hair they shed around the house by brushing them daily in a designated spot where you can clean up.
In addition to keeping your pet's coat healthy and shiny, regular brushing will help remove any allergens before they become airborne, which will help to prevent allergies from flaring up.
Do Cane Corsos Shed Less in Cold Weather?
In cold weather, when the temperature is below 50 degrees Fahrenheit, most dogs slow down their production of dander and saliva. This reduces the propensity for triggering allergy symptoms in most dog breeds, including Cane Corsos.
However, some dogs may not be affected by colder temperatures, so it's best to brush your pet daily to reduce shedding no matter what the weather is like.
On average, you can expect your Cane Corso to shed about twice as much in summer months than winter. The increased summer temperatures, usually lead to increased humidity and more shedding.
Regular grooming will help keep allergens at bay, but if you have an allergy attack while brushing, try using a de-shedding shampoo on your dog before brushing them.
Many specialty de-shedding shampoos are available that will make your pet easier for you to work with. Some claim to reduce their shedding by up to 90%.
Also, do your grooming outside where possible, and consider wearing a mask.
How to Make Your Cane Corso More Hypoallergenic
Due to the vast number of dog breeds out there, it's difficult to determine which dogs are hypoallergenic because each breed produces different levels of dander and allergens, and there is so much variation.
Some dog breeds may tend to produce less allergens than others, but there is also always variability between different dogs of the same breed. So it’s never really possible to know for certain, when choosing a new family pet.
There are certain things you can do, however, if you or your family members have allergies; these include:
1. Brushing your Cane Corso More Often
As mentioned above, brushing your pet will help reduce the amount of dander and allergens they produce. They may shed more after brushing because you're removing loose hair from their coat – however, this is a good thing because shedding hair contains dander and saliva allergen, which can be harmful to those with allergies.
And the hair produced by brushing can be contained in a small area and cleaned up immediately.
2. Bathing your Cane Corso as needed
Because hypoallergenic breeds typically do not have strong smells, it often makes sense for those with sensitivities to bathe them as frequently as needed. It is good to brush your Cane Corso before his bath to remove excess hair and dander or saliva allergens.
3. Keeping your home clean
Keeping your home clean by vacuuming daily and dusting surfaces regularly, will help reduce the amount of allergens in your home. Also, make sure to wash your pet's bedding weekly to remove loose hair that can trigger allergy symptoms.
Can Regular Grooming Help Reduce Shedding?
Regular grooming will help remove loose hair that can trigger allergy symptoms, but it won't reduce dander on your pet's coat that causes most allergic reactions. When you do groom your pet, then make sure to give them a bath afterwards to wash away the saliva or dander allergens which may have spread during their brushing.
Best Dog Supplement For Coat To Minimize Shedding
Omega 3 Fatty Acids
Cane Corsos owners with allergy sensitivity can benefit from giving this supplement regularly, because it reduces shedding and heals dry skin. It also reduces dander and allergies triggered by dog saliva, which makes it an excellent choice of supplement to help with an owner’s allergy issues.
Tips For Allergic Families
How To Alleviate Dog Allergies at Home
There are several ways that can help to keep your dog from triggering your allergies at home:
1. If you have a dog with a very wet nose, wipe it off before coming into contact, because the wet nose is one of the biggest causes of allergens.
2. Wash dog toys and blankets regularly to help reduce allergy symptoms, since most objects contain dander and saliva allergens which cling onto items until they are washed off.
3. Bathe your dog regularly to help reduce dander allergens in their coat which can cling onto their fur until shampooed. If you have a Cane Corso, consider using shampoo recommended by your vet or other owners, to prevent allergies from being triggered while grooming them.
4. Use a high-efficiency air purifier in rooms where your pet spends most of its time. Filtering the air helps to keep allergens at bay while you're around them.
Summing Up
Cane Corsos do shed moderately, but they're not as bad as many breeds.
They also don't produce as much dander as other breeds because they have naturally low skin oil, which means they are less likely to trigger allergies in family members with a propensity for allergies.
The Cane Corso's natural cleanliness and grooming habits help to prevent their bodies from producing excess oil.
Owners can benefit from using products recommended by vets and other owners during grooming sessions.
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